Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday said the decision to close CNG stations two days per week would greatly help to properly run the industrial sector. Talking to reporters after inaugurating Manzalai Central Processing Facility the prime minister said the decision was taken by the Cabinet after prolonged deliberations and the objective was to let the industries continue to operate, that were under risk of getting shut down. He said commuters could use petrol for two days a week, however, he said, "It was a difficult decision and I feel pity for it." The Federal Cabinet recently decided to shut down the CNG stations for two days to retain gas for the industry, due to its high demand.

On government's reluctance to give names of those who took relief under the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), Gilani said as a part of the procedure, these are declared by the concerned department in the parliament, on Speaker's ruling. He said NRO was not presented in the parliament in order to respect the "sense of the House" and public opinion. "Judiciary is pro-active and we will accept any decision by the Honourable Court on NRO," he said.

About his upcoming meeting with PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif, the prime minister said the burning issue of Balochistan would be the major topic of discussion. He said Nawaz Sharif would be taken into confidence before the announcement of Balochistan package. Commenting on former President Pervez Musharraf's remarks about President Asif Ali Zardari, the Prime Minister said, "We cannot expect anything else, but such kind of language from him [Pervez Musharraf]."

In response to United Nations report that Pakistan's fifty percent population suffered from malnutrition due to inflation, he said though the country's economy was hit by global recession, however, the focus was diversified towards agriculture. He said that the government had initiated several schemes for the welfare of masses including Benazir Income Support Program and Waseela-e-Haq project.He said the government was considering to also give relief to underprivileged people on electricity up to 100 units.

The prime minister dispelled the impression that security situation in the country was the same as it was during the previous government. He said had right steps been taken five to six years back, the situation would have been better. "It is the government's duty to protect life and property of its citizens," he said.

He said a 'Martyrs Fund' was being established with seed money to be provided by the government. He said the entire nation was victim of terrorism and vowed that the government would pursue its resolve to fight militants.